1. A quick tweet storm on how cities & communities need to plan for safely reopening as well as for frontline health mobilization to beat the virus. Based on our report published by @BrookingsMetro yesterday.: brookings.edu/blog/the-avenu…
2. It is pretty clear that we will not be out of this storm for 12-18 months, so as we mobilize for this first phase, cities & communities also need to mobilize around a re-opening plan.
3. To do so, they can use capacity at chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, the private sector to mobilize task forces & working groups to deal with key elements of reopening safely and securely. Here are some key areas to mobilize around.
4. Airports: Establish an airport reopening task force now. Temperature checks, health screenings, stanchions or painted lines on floors to promote social distancing in lineups and waiting areas.
5. Large-scale civic assets: A working group on stadiums, arenas, convention centers, performing arts centers, etc. Similar elements: temperature checks and health screenings, social and physical distancing.
6. Infrastructure: Design changes to bus, subway and train stations. Adjustments to seating. Temperature checks. Spacing on sidewalks. Pedestrianizing streets. Bike lanes. Bike and scooter shares, etc.
7. Universities and anchor institutions: These have been key drives of the urban revival. Task force or working group on how they re-open safely. Reduced class sizes, on-line & remote options. Health screenings & retrofits of dorms & dining halls to reopen safely.
8. Remote work: demand is surging. How to build community & civic capital. Look to groups like #TulsaRemote which have expertise here. Compile best practices.
9. Main Street Small Business: Big companies & institutions gave planning capability. Set up Task Force/ Working Group/ technical assistance to help small business do what it takes to reopen safely. Restaurants, coffee shops, hair & nail salons. Health screenings, distancing ...
10. Arts & creative economy: Set up separate task force/ groups/ SWAT teams to provide advice to smaller galleries, independent theaters, and music venues on how to get back up and running safely
11. Front Line Service Workers: Mobilize to provide protective gear now and for the longer run. Learn from larger retailer and grocery chains. Provide advice and technical assistance to smaller shops and businesses.
12. Community development: Work with community, neighborhood assistance & social service organizations to target assistance and advice to less advantaged neighborhoods.
13. Parks and Open Space: Set up a task force on reading parks and open space on how to reopen safely.
14. Economic Impact: Set up task force working group of chamber of commerce, economic development orgs, leading industry & academic experts to assess clusters & industries at risk and plan ahead.
15. There is much more we can do now. Please tweet your ideas.
16. The reality is we will not simply press a RESET button and go back to normal. Pandemics like this have a 12-18 month cycle.
17. As we mobilize now to engage and endure this critical first phase, our communities have to ready themselves for this intermediate period, & for have strategies & practices in place for any future outbreaks.
18. Our report is here and we will be writing (and tweeting) more on this:
brookings.edu/blog/the-avenu…
brookings.edu/blog/the-avenu…
